Tony Snow's Commencement Address 070512
Posted on 05/13/2007 5:41:45 PM PDT by Wolfstar
PRESIDENTIAL NEWS OF THE DAY: President and Mrs. Bush spent most of the weekend in Washington. However, they did travel to Jamestown, Virigina, today to attend the ceremonies marking the 400th Anniversary of the founding of the Jamestown settlement. Here is the AP story as published on the FOX News website:
President Bush Celebrates Jamestown's 400th Anniversary
JAMESTOWN, Virginia, May 13, 2007(AP) Fond of promoting the endurance of freedom, President George W. Bush on Sunday hailed America's humble beginnings as a reminder that new democracies require huge sacrifice.
"From our own history, we know the path to democracy is long and it's hard," Bush said in a ceremony honoring the 400th anniversary of Jamestown, America's first permanent English colony.
"There are many challenges, and there are setbacks along the way," Bush said. "Yet we can have confidence in the outcome because we've seen freedom's power to transform societies."
The President also did something that possibly may be a first for a U.S. president when he conducted the Virginia Symphony Orchestra. Apparently, he did a pretty good job at it, too. So President Bush has a musical side. Who knew. :)
Bush playfully conducts orchestra in Va.
By SONJA BARISIC, Associated Press Writer
Sun May 13, 3:20 PM ETJAMESTOWN, Va. - JoAnn Falletta was doing what a conductor should — concentrating on the orchestra in front of her. No wonder it took her a few seconds on Sunday to realize someone behind her was motioning for a try.
"Smiling at me kind of devilishly," Falletta said.
She gave him her baton and stepped aside.
Gesturing exuberantly, the president led the orchestra during part of its performance of "Stars and Stripes Forever."
"We didn't expect him to know the score so well," Falletta said afterward. "He was not shy about conducting at all. He conducted with a great deal of panache."
That was the music played for Bush's exit after his speech at a ceremony commemorating the founding 400 years ago of Jamestown, America's first permanent English settlement.
Just before the music ended, Bush turned to Falletta, who stood on a step below him, kissed the top of her head and left without saying a word.
The 400-strong orchestra was made up of about 50 members of the Virginia Symphony, plus musicians from youth orchestras around the country. The switch in conductors was impromptu, said Falletta, the symphony's music director.
"I think he may have just been seized by the desire to conduct the orchestra," she said.
Falletta did not spot Bush until alerted by a musician.
"I'm embarrassed now that I didn't notice him, but I was just thinking of the music," she said.
Bush stepped onto the podium and took over.
The musicians were impressed by how musical Bush was, Falletta said. "He was cueing the brass, he was cueing the percussion, he kept the tempo going," she said.
Bill Fearnside, a violinist with the Virginia Symphony, put down his instrument and picked up a camera to record the moment.
"It was a little shocking, but it was fun," Fearnside said.
THE WEEK AHEAD:
— Monday, the President has no public events scheduled. First Lady Laura Bush participates in a roundtable discussion on women and heart disease at George Washington University Hospital in Washington, DC— Tuesday, the President meets with Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt in the Oval Office. He also delivers remarks at the Annual Peace Officers’ Memorial Service in the Capitol.
— Wednesday, President Bus welcomes his friend, British Prime Minister Tony Blair to White House. (I believe this may be their last meeting in the White House before Mr. Blair retires from office.)
— Thursday, GWB meets with British Prime Minister Tony Blair in the Oval Office. Later, the two leaders will participate in a joint media availability in the Rose Garden.
— Friday, the first couple will be at their Prairie Chappel Ranch in Crawford, Texas.
EXTENDED SCHEDULE:
— May 20-21, 2007: President Bush hosts NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer at his ranch in Crawford, TX.— May 23, 2007: President Bush delivers the commencement address to the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London, CT.
I'm glad you're here. :)
Good evening, snugs. Some new photos of the VP for you. How’s your dad? Is he home now?
Hi mystery. How did your Mother's Day go. What's the word from your heroes?
I have enjoyed reading all the comments and viewing the pictures of the Jamestown event. I am a bit of a history buff, and my ancestors migrated into South Carolina from Virginia more than 100 years before my birth (1932). I often ask myself what would America be like today if the ones who made this perilous voyage to a new world had been of Mideastern origin. Do you think they could have turned this nation into the world power it is today? Or would they have been too busy killing infidels to waste time with mighty skyscrapers, airports, hospitals, highways, space shuttles, railways, medical centers, and the list goes on and on.........
He called me this morning but could only talk for a few seconds because of the lines to use the phones....would you like to see the lates pic?
Sounds like a great place to visit when I was in the States in 1997 I visited the Plymouth Plantation which I very much enjoyed.
I love the pics of him conducting the orchestra. Notice how he held his thumb and forefinger in some of the shots. So cool. I never would have figured him for having any musicality at all.
Jonny, you'll enjoy these photos of President Bush conducting the Virginia Symphony Orchestra. :)
Tony Snow's Commencement Address 070512
The bravery of those early settlers is breathtaking. Makes our modern-day whining about this or that seem awfully small by comparison. :)
Great pics!
Happy Mother’s Day to Dose Mamas!
Super Duper pictures, Wolfstar.
Thank you for the DOSE.
I loved the story about his turn with a baton!!! I wonder how the MSM and libs will spin this against him! LOL
By all means...especially on Mother's Day.
I'm glad he got through to you, even if it was for a brief time.
Dmd, thanks for posting that photo of Tony, who is much beloved by us all. He still looks thin, but his color is much healthier than it was a few weeks ago.
What fun pictures!
Today is not mothers day in Britain our Mothering Sunday is the 4th Sunday in Lent so moves each year. Click here for history on Mothers Day in Britain
With it being Mothers Day in the US though it was very fitting that I had one of my own mother's favourite desserts for afters today.
Hi radiohead. Good to “see” you. :)
I will be posting a summary of the VP’s trip in photo form later this week, if you know someone who is not on either the dose or Cheney ping list please freep me if you think they would like to be pinged to the thread.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.